A UK drill rapper helped import 60kg of cannabis from the US before he was arrested during a live stream on Instagram, a court has heard.
The rapper whose real name is Rhys Herbert has pleaded guilty to drugs charges following the raid.
The 24-year-old has admitted importing 3.6 kilos of cannabis and social supply but prosecutors maintain there were significant commercial transactions involving up to 60 kilos.
A trial of the issue, known as a Newton Hearing, took place before Judge Simon Hirst at Lincoln Crown Court.
Herbert, of Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill, pleaded guilty in May to a charge of importing cannabis relating to 11 July 2023. He also admitted supplying cannabis between 26 October 2022 and 21 February 2024.
But the prosecution do not accept the basis of his pleas.
James Scobie KC, defending Herbert, said Herbert had earnings in excess of £3 million.
Digga D, real name Rhys Angelo Emile Herbert, entered guilty pleas to two drugs charges during a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday
The drill artist, whose tracks have been listened to by millions, was arrested at a property in Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln in February while broadcasting on Instagram Live
Mr Scobie told the hearing his client admitted being a heavy user of cannabis and would also supply cannabis socially to his entourage in the music industry.
This included four people who were living with Herbert at his address in Bracebridge Heath, near Lincoln, during the period of the raid.
Mr Scobie told the court Herbert accepted importing 3.6 kilos of cannabis and selling around five kilos of the Class B drug on a ‘sporadic’ commercial basis – making a small profit of £300-£400 on each deal.
But the prosecution allege Herbert played a leading role in cannabis supply with an involvement of up to 60 kilos.
A prosecution drugs expert who examined messages recovered from Herbert concluded they were consistent with the wholesale kilo supply of Skunk cannabis which had been imported from America, the court heard.
Mobile phone footage of Herbert handling a bag of cannabis and allegedly complaining about the poor quality was also played in court.
A number of photographs also showed Herbert handling large amounts of cash, the prosecution claimed.
The court heard two sets of weighing scales and a cannabis grinder were recovered from Herbert’s London home in Lonsdale Road.
A further hearing will take place at Lincoln Crown Court (pictured) in July when Herbert will learn if a trial without a jury
Mr Scobie said Herbert was an internationally recognised musician with a legitimate income and made videos which demonstrated large amounts of cash.
Herbert is currently remanded into custody at HMP Wormwood Scrubs and is following the hearing via a video link from the prison.
Digga D is one of the UK drill’s leading performers, with his tracks getting millions of views online, and he was due to be headlining a number of UK and international festivals this Summer.
Drill started in Chicago in the early 2010s but in recent years UK artists have adopted the genre.
The two day hearing continues.
